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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Perianal White Patches/itching
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Perianal White Patches/itching
by cantconcentrate, Oct 01, 2006 12:00AM
I have always tended to sweat a lot especially in my genital region. Several weeks ago the sweating seemed to become more noticable and I started experiencing itching around my anus and scrotum. Initally I used cortisone lotion to stop the itching and it would work for a short time. I thought I probably had a fungus (like jock itch) so I started treating the area with a anti fungal spray. I have been treating it for approximately 1 week and have not seen any relief.
Yesterday using a mirror I gave my genital area a complete visual examination. In the perianal region I notice a couple of patches of skin that had lost its pigmentation and turned white.
This is when I became concerned. I did and extensive search of the internet trying to get an idea of what it could be, using the sysmptoms of itching and white skin patches. The search has been frustrating because nothing exactly matches my symptoms. The possibilities I have come up with range from herpes and syphilis to lichen schlerosis and vitiligo.
The STD options seem the most far fetched to me because I have been with the same partner for over 5 years but as I read more it seems possible that I could have had it for quite some time and never had it diagnosed because I have experienced this itching years before but never had it checked out and it went away.
The symptom of the itching was bad enough but now with the white spots I can't get it out of my mind. Please help. Could the two symptoms I am experienceing have nothing to do with each other? A photo of the patches can be seen at the following link:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k230/conern99/itching.jpg
Yesterday using a mirror I gave my genital area a complete visual examination. In the perianal region I notice a couple of patches of skin that had lost its pigmentation and turned white.
This is when I became concerned. I did and extensive search of the internet trying to get an idea of what it could be, using the sysmptoms of itching and white skin patches. The search has been frustrating because nothing exactly matches my symptoms. The possibilities I have come up with range from herpes and syphilis to lichen schlerosis and vitiligo.
The STD options seem the most far fetched to me because I have been with the same partner for over 5 years but as I read more it seems possible that I could have had it for quite some time and never had it diagnosed because I have experienced this itching years before but never had it checked out and it went away.
The symptom of the itching was bad enough but now with the white spots I can't get it out of my mind. Please help. Could the two symptoms I am experienceing have nothing to do with each other? A photo of the patches can be seen at the following link:
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k230/conern99/itching.jpg
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Oct 02, 2006 12:00AM
, Oct 02, 2006 12:00AM
Looks like vitiligo to me. Vitiligo is of cosmetic concern only, which can be an issue if it's in a noticeable place, but not where you have it. Please do not try to diagnose yourself on the internet. All you'll achieve is anxiety. A skin doctor in person can set things straight.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (1)
by callmerick2, Sep 20, 2008 01:33PM
A related discussion, perianal itching and white patch(es) was started.
